$25k playing card money up for auction

This historic and unique Canadian currency was created using the materials which were available

Back when the ruler of the province was Governor Beauharnois, citizens of Quebec were clamouring to be able to use cards to buy things.

Of course, these were not debit cards - this was the early eighteenth century - but simply pieces of card which made convenient pieces of currency. In 1729 the governor, having received permission from the King of France, Louis XV, consented.

The new money was printed on playing card stock and signed by Governor Beauharnois, Intendant Hocquart, and Varin, the agent for the Controller of the Marine. An example of this now very rare currency has turned up in the hands of the Canadian Numismatic Company.

24 livre Quebec Card Money

Graded Very Fine 25 by the PMG (Paper Money Guarantee company), the 24 livres piece from 1735 doesn't look valuable at a glance, but for a number of years card money was a popular and trusted currency readily exchangeable for silver coin, facilitating trade with mainland France.

It is to be sold with a guide price of $22,000-25,000, leading the auction.

Those interested in more traditional banknotes will be intrigued by an uncut sheet of four banknotes from 1882 Newfoundland. The specimen $2 notes with overall grade of AU are available with an estimate of $8,000-10,000 and extremely attractive to any notaphilist.

The sale takes place from February 25 (tomorrow) to 28. Both the lots mentioned are expected to sell on the first day.